Machine for cutting composition shingles



March 18 1924. 1,487,661

S. M. LANGSTON MACHINE FOR CUTTING COMPOSITION SHINGLES Filed June 30. 1922 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 18 1924. I 1,487,661

s. M. LANGSTON MACHINE FOR CUTTING COMPOSITI ON SHINGLES Filed June 30, 1922 Q 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A I "///I/l///////////////// I I/II/I/l Patented M... is, 192 4.

UNITED STAT S i mama pm former-1. Q

SAMUEL M. LANGSTON, OF WE'NONAH,-NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE ron comma comrosrrron SHINGLES.

Application filed June 80, 1922. Serial Ho. 571,983.

simulate individual shinglesgit is commonpractice to make the strips of a length equal to the width of a sheet from which the strips are cut, and to continuously deliver the'sheet endwise through cutting mechanism which forms successive transverse rows of longitudinally extending slots and trans verse cuts intersecting these slots to subdivide one shingle strip from the next.

Various machines have been designed to cut strips in this general way, but all such machines with which I am familiar are open to some objection. If the slots are formed by a pair of coacting rotary members which cut all four sides of the slot at a single operation, some of the circumscribed pieces but out to form the slots or recesses may not be completely severed, due to dull knives or lack of proper adjustment, and may theref ore remain in place, necessitating manually removing them from the completed strips. The pieces, even though completely severed I at all edges, may in being removed,'fall on the surface of the sheet or the strips and become incorporated in the stack or bundle between superposed strips, thus marring or indenting the latter. They may be comletely removed by the cutting mechanism but become jammed in the latter so as to break the knives or require a stopping of the machine to loosen or remove them.

A common form of cutting mechanism on the market severs only three sides of the slot to leave tongues in place, and the fourth side, of the slot, that is the base of the tongue, is severed by the main chopper which makes the transverse cuts between adjacent stri s. This necessitates mechanism to knoc out the waste pieces, but if they fall on the completed stri s or hang by one edge, or corner where t ey are not the completely out, they may get included in undle of strips and cause trouble. One object of my invention is to insure the complete and positive removal of the waste pieces before the sheet reaches the chopper or other out ofi mechanism, so that there is no liability of any of them being carried along and piled up in the stack of completed strips. A further object is to provide a simple and inexpensive means for severing and. removing the tongues formed after first cutting three sides of the slot by any suitable cutting means. A further object is to provide a simple and improved mechanism for removing the waste ,piece which is positive in operation, and which directly coacts with means for cutting only one of the two opposite sides of the piece to be removed, so that there is noliability of the piece being jammed or held between paralle knives simultaneously cutting op-' posite edges of the slot.

Other objects and advanta es will be pointed out hereinafter, or will e a parent from a consideration of the specific orm illustrated in the accompanymg drawings. In these drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectionv of the main operatin parts of a machine shown diagrammatica y.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section substantially on the line 2-2of Fig. 1, but on a larger scale. f

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, but on the same scale as Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig.

4, but on alarger scale.

' Fig. Z is a face view of a portion of the upper rotary member shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a face view of a portion of the lower rotary membershow'n in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9is a plan view of a sheet showing the successive steps in the operation of cutting it into strips, and Y Fig. 10 is a view ofa sheet as cut by a modification in the sizes and relative pro-n portions of the parts of the cutting mechamsmz.

In the machine as diagrammatically illus- .tached to the body of the sheet.

illustrated. The sheet A passes between a pair of coacting members 10 and 11 which serve to form U-shaped cuts a defining tongues I) each having one end remaining at- These tongues are arranged in rows which extend transversely of the sheet, and the tongues in each row extend lengthwise of the sheet.

Although either end of the tongue may be attached, itis preferably the forward or advancing end which is attached so that the tongue will 'be drawn along by. the body of the sheet. The sheet then passes bet-ween the pair of rotary members 12 and 13 which formcuts c, to completely sever the tongues and remove the severed pieces d. The sheet then passes between feed rolls 14, 15, and a chopper or cut off mechanism including coacting knives 16, 17. The cut off mechanism which I preferably employ and which is diagrammatically illustrated is that described more in detail and claimed in my prior Patent No. 1,359,076. issued November 16th, 1920. The end of the sheet passes between feed rolls 18, 19 before the cut 011' action takes place, so as to hold the sheet taut during the cut off action,

' and the severed strips B are delivered by the feed rolls 18,19 to any suitable receiving mechanism, as for instance a pair of .feed rolls 20, 21, the lower of which is provided with a conveyor belt 22. The severed pieces cl may correspond in length to the slots or recesses e which are to be formed in the edge of the strip, and in that event the parts are so proportioned and timed that the successive transverse cuts 7 will be spaced a distance equal to the width of a strip,.and each transverse cut will be along a line coinciding with the ends of the several slots of a corresponding row. If desired the parts may be so proportioned, designed and timed that the waste pieces a will each be of a length equal to. twice the length of and in that event the cut off mechanism will operate to make a transverse cut lwwhich intersects all of the slots of a row intermediate of the ends .of said slots and then a transverse out i which will pass through the body of the sheet intermediate of two successive rows of slots. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 10. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 10, in order to avoid making the strips as .rights and lefts, the slot-forming mechanism is so positioned as to form half width slots at each edge of the sheet. With the arrangement as indicated-in Fig. 9, it is immaterial whether'half width slots be formed in opposite edges, or full width slots along one edge on y I do not wish to be limited to any particular mechanism for forming the tongues in the sheet. The details of the coacting rotary members 10 and 11 form no portion of my invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the forming of the tongues by a single pair of rotary members acting to out three sides of the slot, as so far as my present invention is concerned, each of the three sides of the slot might be. cut by a different pair of coacting members and at successive steps in theprogress of the sheet through the machine. The specific rotary members 10 and 11 which are illustrated are substantially the same as those illustrated in Pat ent No. 1,182,416, issued May 9th. 1916. The lower member 11 includes a: disk portion 25' carrying on its periphery a pair of shear blocks 26 and 27. The upper member 10 has a body portion 28 carrying a pair of .slitting blades 29 spaced to a distance equal to the width of the slot which is to be formed in the sheet and adapted to coact with the opposite side edges of the shear block 26. The upper member also carries a cross blade 30 adapted to cooperate with one end of the shear block 26 and between it and the adjacent shear block 27. The length of the shear blocks and of the slitting knives 28, 29, corresponds to the length of the desired slots, and the members may be provided with shear blocks and knives for forming any desired number of slots,

depending upon the, length of the slots and the diameter of the members. The shearv blocks and blades may besecured in position in any desired manner, and the members may be mounted for rotary, as well as longitudinal adjustment on their respect ve shafts. These members, as previously mdicated, merely constitute one of many means which mightbe employed for forming U-shaped -cuts, and attached tongues in the body of the sheet.

The coacting members 12 and 13 form an important feature of my invention and serve to severv each tongue at its base and to remove from the sheet the severed pieces. The upper member 12 as shown partlcularly in Figs. 6 and 8, serves as a'platen and presents a hardened steel surface against which the cutter or" blade ,of the lower member 13 acts to cut the sheet. Preferably the hardened steel surface is formed on a separate block 32 which is inserted in a recess or groove in the body ofthe mem ber 12, so that this may be removed and replaced by .a new one whenever desired. The block or hardened plate may be held in position in any suitable manner, 'as for instance by screws 33. The lower member,

- The latter is held in place by a pair of screws 35 extending through a flange portion 36, and withtheir heads disposed in a recess below the main peripheral surface of the member. The knife may be radially adjusted both endwise andlradially in its groove and is easily removed when it requires sharpening. The cutting edge portion 37 of the knife is of a length equal to the width of the base of the tongue which is to be severed, although preferably the body portion of the knife is of materially greater length so as to be more effectively held by the screws 35. The two members 12 and 13 may be given rotary adjustment so as to change the line on the hardened surface with which the cutting edge of the knife 34 engages so as to distribute wear.

The tab removingmechanism includes a pin 38 projecting from the surface of the "member 12, and adapted to enter a recess justed to a position close to the knife.

in the member 13. This pin 38 is so positioned that it passes through the severed piece closely adjacent to the front edge of the latter immediately after this front edge has been severed by the knife 34. Thus the tongue which .is drawn along by being attached to its front end, has its front end forced on to the pin 38 immediately after the front end has beensevered from the body of the sheet, and while the tongue or severed piece is gripped between the surface of the members 12 and 13' directlyin the rear of the knife 34.

I do not .wish to be limited to the placing of this pin at any particular distance in the rear of the knife 34, as this distance may vary by a rotary adjustment of one member 1n respect to the other to vary the away from the sheet on the surface of the member 12.' Suitable stripper mechanism is provided for removing the severed pieces from the pins 38. As shown, there is provided a transversely extendingtrough 40 and a series of pivoted stripper plates, 41

held firmly against the surface of the member 12 by a. 'coil spring 42 or in any other suitable manner, and each stri per plate has a slot 43 of a widthmateri y less than the width .of the severed piece and only slightly widerthan the diameter of the, pins 38. Thus each pin may pass through the slot of' its corresponding stri per plate, while the severed pieces will fo ow the upper surface of the stripperplates and drop into the trough 40. Suitable mechanism may be provided for removing the pieces from the trough, such for instance as that illustrated in my Patent 1,462,138 ixued July 12, 1923. I have illustrated the member 12 above the sheet, and the member 13 below the sheet, although it will of course be obvious that the position of these two parts may be reversed. v

It will be noted that in case it is desired to cut double length slots, as indicated in Fig. 10, it is not necessary to make any change in the construction-or design of the rotary members 12 and 13. They act the same. irrespective of the length of the severed piece. Any variation in the width of the severed piece may be; taken care of merely by inserting a difl'erent knife 34 with the appropriate length of cutting edge. Variation in the length of the slot may be accomplished by a substitution of knives 39 and 'shear blocks 26 of the proper length. If the removed pieces be. comparatively wide, it will be obvious that a plurality of pins 38 may be used for each severed piece.

I have, illustrated the pins 38 as being carried by the backing or platen plates 32, although this is not essential. The members 12 and 13 are very simple in construction, and the several parts which are liable .to wear or' breakage may be very easily removed and replaced-by new ones. Substitute parts for the members 10 and 11 may be readily obtained, as these are preferably of a form now in common use on other types of machines for forming similar shingle.

strips.

I have referred to thesevered pieces as I waste pieces, but it will be apparent that if they be wider, as is necessary for some forms of shingle strips, the severed pieces may be used as individual shingles. I have illustrated the cutting mechanism of the members 12 and 13 as a knife and a Iaten or backingv plate,,but a pair of shear lades or a blade and a shea-r block similar to the blade30 and block 26 might be employed. a

By means of my improved mechanism the sheet may be cut as" shown in Fig. 10, which is not possible if the chopper is used to sever the tongues at their attached ends;

In the accompanying drawings I have not illustrated all of the details of the parts for supporting; driving and adjusting the various members. Such parts maybe substantially the sameas are illustrated in my. patent above referred to.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as. newand desire to. secure by' Letters Patent is: r l

1. A machine for cutting 'shinglestrips.

including means for forming transverse rows of longitudinally extending tongues 'infa' longitudinally advancing sheet, and a pair of coacting rotary members having knives spaced apartlengthwise of themembers and each of a length equal to the" width of a tongue for severing the tongues at their bases.

2. A machine for cutting shingle strips, including means for forming transverse rows of tongues in a longitudinally advancing sheet, and a pair of cc-acting rotary members having knives spaced apart lengthwiseof the members and each of a length equal to the width of a tongue for severing the ton ues at their bases, one of said rotary members having means carried thereby for removing the severed pieces from the sheet. 3. A machine for cutting shingle strips, including means for forming transverse rows of longitudinally extending tongues in a longitudinally advancing sheet, and a pair of coasting rotary members for severing the tongues at their bases, one of said members having a hardenedsurface and the other having a series of spaced cutters in alignment lengthwise of the member and coacting with the other member, and each of a length equal to the width of the tongue.

4. A machine for cutting shingle strips from sheet material, including means for 1y extending tongues in the sheet, and a pair of rotary members, one of said members being disposed at one side of the sheet and having a cutterfor severing the tongues at their bases, and the other rotary member being disposed on the opposite side of the sheet, and having means for engagingawith and removing the severed pieces.

6. .A machine for cutting shingle strips from sheet material, including means for advancing the sheet, means for forming transverse rows of longitudinally extending tongues in the sheet, and a pair of rotary members, one of said members having a series of spaced cutters each of a length equal to the, width of a tongue acting against the other member to sever the tongues at their bases, and one of said members'having a pin for acting against the other member to penetrate the severed part and the plane of the sheet.

7. A machine for cutting shingle strips carry it from from sheet material, including means for advancing the sheet, means for'forming transverse rows of longitudinally extending tongues in the sheet, and a pair of rotary members one of said members having a series of spaced cutters each of a length equal to the width of a tongue acting against the other member to severthe tongues at their; bases, and the other of said members having a pin for penetrating the severed piece in the rear of the base end to carry said piece from the plane of the sheet.

8. In combination, means for forming a series of U-shaped cuts in a sheet of materi a1, and a pair of rotary members independ ent of said means and between which the sheet is caused to pass, one of said members having a hardened surface and a projecting pin,'and the other rotarymember having a cutter acting against said surface to sever the part within the U-shaped cut, and a recess adj acenet to the cutter to receive the pin.

9. A- 'machine for cutting" shingle strips from aj'sheet of material, including means for continuously advancing the'sheet longitudinally, means for forming transverse rows of longitudinally extending tongues in the sheet, a pair of coacting rotary members for severing the tongues at their bases, one

of said-members having projecting meansfor ;pene trating the: severed tongues and causing-them to follow the surface of said member, and a stripper for removing the severed pieces from said surface.

10. A machine'for cutting shingle strips,-

including means for forming transverse rows of longitudinally extendiilg tongues in a longitudinally advancing sheet, a pair of coacting rotary members havin knives each of a length equalto the Wi th of a tongue for severing the tongues at their bases to form apertures, and separate, means for severing the sheet along lines intersecting said apertures.

11. A machine for cutting shingle strips, including means for forming transverse rows of tongues in a longitudinally advancing sheet, a pair of coacting rotary members having'knives each of a length equal to the Width of a tongue for severing the tongues at their bases, one of said rotary members having means carried thereby for removing the severed pieces from the sheet, and means for removing the severed pieces from said member after the latter has removed them from the sheet.

12. A machine of the class described, including means for feeding a sheet of material endwise, meansfor cutting le-ngthwlse thereof a row of U-shaped slits to form tongues project'im longitudinally of the sheet in the plane thereofi, a pair of rotary coacting members for forming a series of spaced cuts transversel of the sheetto sever said tongues at then base ends and remove the severed pieces to thereby form a tures opening as slots along one edge there- 13. A machine of the classdescribed, including means for feeding a sheet of material endwise, means for cuttin lengthwise thereof a rowof U-shaped shts to form tongues, a pair of rotary coaeting members for forming cuts to sever said tongues at -their base ends and thereby form a series of apertures, and separate cutting mechanism for severing the sheet into sections each having a plurality of said apertures opening as slots-along one edge thereof.

14. A. machine of the class described, including means for feeding a sheet of material endwise, means for cutting lengthwise thereof a row of U-shaped slits to form tongues intermediate of the side edges of the sheet, a pair of rotary coacting members for forming cuts transversely of the sheet thereby form a series of apertures, one of sa1d rotary members having a radial pin in I to sever said tongues at their base ends and the periphery thereof, and the other of said rotary members having a blade, means for forcing the severed strips onto said pin, and

means for removing them therefrom.

15. A machine of'the class described, in-

cluding means for feeding a sheet of ma-- terial endwise, means for cutting lengthwise thereof a row of U-sh'aped slits to form tongues, a pair of rota eoacting members for forming .a series 0 cuts to sever said tongues at their 'base ends and thereby form a series of apertures, one of said rotary members havin a; platen and a pin, and the other having a gmife acting against the platen and a recess receiving the pin.

Signed at Camden in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey this 28th day of June A. D. 1922.

- SAMUEL M. LANGSTON. 

